Frequently Asked Questions

What is Family Hub?

Family Hub is a simple, easy-to-use messaging and reminder system designed to help families stay connected and organized. It's especially helpful for families supporting loved ones with memory challenges or dementia. Family members can send text messages, photos, audio reminders, and other content that displays on a shared screen in a gentle, easy-to-read format. It requires no special equipment and works on any device with an internet browser.

Who should use Family Hub?

Family Hub works for families of all situations:

• Families with loved ones experiencing mild memory loss or forgetfulness
• Families caring for someone with dementia who needs gentle, constant reminders
• Multi-generational families who want to share important dates and messages
• Anyone who wants an organized way to communicate important reminders to a loved one

What type of messages can I send?

You can send:

• Text messages (in any language!)
• Personal voice messages (up to 15 seconds) – great for a personal touch
• Photos with captions (e.g., "Your grandchild is coming to visit!")
• Animated GIFs
• Scheduled reminders (send now to display later – e.g., "Doctor's appointment tomorrow at 2 PM")

What equipment do I need?

No special equipment! Family Hub works on any device with an internet browser:

• Smartphone or tablet
• Laptop or desktop computer
• Smart TV
• Even an old phone you don't use anymore

You don't need to buy anything new – use what you already have!

How do I display the messages?

It's simple – just three web pages:

• Display: Shows the scrolling messages (this is what your loved one sees)
• Send: Where family members send new messages
• Admin: Where the family administrator manages settings and controls

That's it! No software to download, no complicated setup. Just visit the web pages in your browser.

What if my loved one doesn't have a computer or tablet?

No problem! Here are simple solutions:

• Option 1: Repurpose an old device
  • Use an old smartphone or tablet you no longer need
  • Connect it to WiFi (doesn't need a phone plan)
  • Plug it in for continuous charging
  • Mount it on a wall or stand where it can be easily seen
• Option 2: Use any internet-connected device
  • Smart TVs often have built-in browsers
  • Old computers or laptops work perfectly
  • E-readers or tablets

Pro Tip: The display page automatically prevents the device from falling asleep, so messages stay visible without any intervention.

Can I display messages on a smart TV?

Yes! Smart TVs have built-in internet browsers. You can also:

• Use a smart speaker with a display
• Connect the TV to a device like a Broadlink RM4 Pro to turn it on/off automatically
• Set timers to turn the TV on in the morning and off at night for automatic displays

I have the welcome email on my phone – how do I get the Display page to show on my smart TV?

Very simple! Your welcome email contains three URLs (web addresses): Display, Send, and Admin. To show the Display page on your smart TV:

1. Open your smart TV's internet browser (most smart TVs have one built-in, like Samsung Internet, LG Browser, or you can download Chrome/Firefox)
2. Look at the welcome email on your phone and find the Display URL
3. Type (or carefully enter) the Display URL into your TV's browser address bar
4. Press Enter/Go – your messages will start displaying!

Tip: If typing the long URL is difficult with your TV remote, you can:

• Email the Display URL to yourself and open the email on your TV browser, then click the link
• Use your TV's built-in keyboard (if available)
• Connect a USB keyboard to your TV for easier typing
• Create a bookmark/favorite in your TV browser so you only need to type it once

What if I need to set up automation or advanced features?

Family Hub is designed to work with zero setup, but we also offer professional support services:

• Our support team can help set up automation and bulk message uploads
• We can assist with advanced scheduling (e.g., messages that change daily based on dates)
• Excel macros and automation tutorials are available
• Remote setup assistance is available if needed

Contact support@family-hub.uk for more information.

Who can send messages?

Anyone with access to your Family Hub account. Messages come from:

• Family members who have been given access
• Caregivers
• Healthcare providers (with permission)

Always include your name so the recipient knows who the message is from!

Can I send a voice message instead of typing?

Yes! Voice messages are one of the best features:

• Click the 🎤 Record Audio button
• Record in your own voice (up to 15 seconds)
• Great for a personal touch – hearing a grandchild's voice is much warmer than reading text
• Perfect for family members who can't easily use a keyboard

Can I schedule a message for later?

Yes! This is incredibly useful for:

• Sending birthday or anniversary reminders
• Medical appointment reminders
• Important dates like vaccine appointments
• Messages to display "tomorrow" or at a specific time

You can even schedule messages 1-2 days (or more) in advance.

Can I customize how messages appear?

Yes! You have control over:

• Message text color
• How long each message displays
• How fast the messages scroll
• Message display time (default is 24 hours, but you can change this)

Can I add photos to messages?

Yes! You can:

• Upload photos directly
• Add captions to photos (e.g., "Here's your grandchild Leo!")
• Use GIF images

This is wonderful for visual reminders and sharing moments with loved ones.

Can I delete or edit a message after I send it?

It depends on your role:

• Admin: Yes, you can delete or edit any message by logging into the Admin page with your PIN
• Regular users: You can ask the family admin to delete or edit your message

This allows the family admin to fix mistakes or update information quickly.

Can I upload many messages at once?

Yes! This is perfect for families that want to automate daily reminders:

• Create a .CSV file (Excel spreadsheet) with all your messages
• Include formulas that automatically calculate dates (days until birthday, today's date, etc.)
• Upload the entire file in one click
• Delete old messages and replace them in bulk

Example: Create 100 messages in Excel, export as .CSV, and upload them all at once!

What happens to old messages?

By default:

• Messages automatically delete 24 hours after being sent
• This keeps the display fresh and uncluttered
• The family admin can change this time period (e.g., 72 hours, 1 week, etc.)
• The admin can also manually delete all messages at once

Will my loved one be overwhelmed by too many messages?

No, Family Hub is designed to avoid information overload:

• Messages scroll slowly and gently – one at a time
• You control how long each message displays
• You control how many messages are active at any time
• You can review messages before they go live (better with admin features)

Will voice messages play automatically?

Mostly, but there's one step:

• First time: The device needs one tap to "unlock" audio (browser security)
• After unlock: Voice messages will auto-play when they scroll to the center of screen
• The scrolling pauses while audio plays
• Messages resume scrolling after audio finishes

This is a one-time setup per device.

What if audio doesn't work on my device?

Don't worry! The system handles this gracefully:

• If audio fails (browser blocks it), the display resumes automatically
• You can tap a message directly to force audio playback
• Messages still display as text – audio is a bonus feature
• The visual message is always readable

Why do I need to tap the screen for audio?

This is a browser security feature to prevent websites from playing surprise sounds. It's a one-time step that ensures a better experience on your device.

How does the pricing work?

Family Hub is a subscription service. You choose what works best for you:

• 1-month subscription
• 3-month subscription
• 6-month subscription
• 12-month subscription

All features are included in every plan – no hidden costs, no feature restrictions.

Can I cancel anytime?

Yes! You have complete flexibility:

• Stop renewing at the end of any subscription period
• No long-term contracts
• No cancellation fees
• You can pause and restart anytime

What payment methods do you accept?

Check our pricing page for current payment options. Contact support@family-hub.uk if you have questions about payment methods.

Will I receive a reminder before my subscription expires?

Yes! We'll send you an email reminder before your subscription ends, so you don't lose access if you want to renew.

Is my family's information private and secure?

Your privacy is our priority:

• We collect only essential information (name, email, address, phone number)
• We do NOT share your data with third parties
• All data is stored on a secure server
• We comply with UK data protection laws (GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018)
• Data is deleted 30 days after your subscription ends

Who has access to the messages and settings?

Only people you give access to:

• Family members you authorize
• The family admin (who has a PIN)
• No one else – not even Family Hub staff unless you ask for support

If you invite us for remote support, we only access what's needed to help you.

Are the messages encrypted?

Yes, all data is transmitted securely and stored safely on our servers.

Can I request to delete all my data?

Yes, you have the right to:

• Request a copy of your personal data
• Have your data corrected or deleted
• Object to certain processing
• Contact the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if you have concerns

Email support@family-hub.uk with any data requests.

My loved one has advanced dementia – will this work?

Yes! Family Hub is specifically designed for this situation:

• Display messages continuously without any interaction needed
• Use kiosk mode software to prevent accidental navigation
• Messages refresh automatically
• No "unlock" steps or complicated interactions required
• Perfect for bedside or kitchen displays

What's the difference between "mild memory loss" and dementia setups?

Great question! The same system works for both, but the setup differs:

• For Mild Memory Loss:
  • User can tap a screen or open a browser themselves
  • Display page is bookmarked or in a favorite
  • User checks messages as needed
• For Advanced Dementia:
  • Display page always on and always visible
  • No user interaction required
  • Messages scroll continuously
  • Often uses dedicated tablet or old phone mounted on wall

Can I send reminders about medical appointments?

Yes! This is one of the primary uses:

• "Doctor's appointment tomorrow at 2 PM"
• Schedule reminders to appear the day before
• Schedule reminders 7 days before (for planning)
• Include location and phone number if needed

You can even send voice messages with appointment details.

Can I use this for medication reminders?

Yes! Create daily messages like:

• "Time for your morning medication"
• "Take your afternoon pills"
• Scheduled to appear at specific times
• Pair with voice messages for extra reinforcement

What if my device doesn't have audio speakers?

No problem! All messages still appear as text and are fully readable. Audio is a bonus feature – your device will display everything without it.

The display keeps going to sleep – how do I fix it?

Our system automatically prevents sleep on most modern browsers, but you can also:

• Use a dedicated kiosk browser app (optional), such as Fully Kiosk Browser or Kiosk Browser Lockdown
• Keep the device plugged in
• Set your device's sleep settings to "Never"
• Contact our support team for configuring kiosk mode

Why isn't the message updating on my loved one's device?

Check these common issues:

• Is the device connected to WiFi?
• Try refreshing the page (browser reload)
• Is the message within its display time? (Default 24 hours)
• Contact support@family-hub.uk if issues persist

What browsers work best?

Family Hub works on any modern browser:

• Chrome / Chromium
• Firefox
• Safari
• Edge
• Any browser on any device

Newer browsers work better with audio playback.

I need more help – what support is available?

We offer several support options:

• Email: support@family-hub.uk
• Remote support: Our team can access your computer (with permission) and help you
• Guides and video tutorials: Coming soon!
• Support for automation and bulk uploads: Available on request

How do I get started?

Super simple:

1. Sign up for a Family Hub subscription
2. You'll receive login details and access instructions
3. Go to the "Send" page and send your first message
4. Go to the "Display" page on your loved one's device
5. Watch your message appear!

That's it – no setup, no installation, no technical skills required.

Can I try Family Hub before committing?

Check our website at family-hub.uk for current trial or demo options.

What if I have more questions?

Please contact us!

• Email: support@family-hub.uk
• Visit: family-hub.uk
• We're here to help make your experience smooth and enjoyable